David Benavidez Makes the Case for a Jermall Charlo Fight
It’s widely known among boxing circles that there is a long-standing beef between two-time WBC 168-pound champ David Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) and reigning WBC 160-pound champion Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs). Beyond hammering out their differences, Benavidez believes everybody stands to benefit career-wise from a potential fight.
IT’S NOT MY FAULT
Benavidez and Charlo infamously got into a yelling and shoving match while attending the Errol Spence Jr – Yordenis Ugas fight in April 2022. One would think the two would settle their mutual dislike in the ring. But there’s been no sign of an impending fight so far. During an appearance on The Last Stand Podcast, Benavidez spoke on why that fight has yet to occur. He puts the blame right at the feet of the middleweight belt-holder.
“Because Charlo is a pussy, that’s why. He don’t want to fight. I mean, I don’t know what else I could do. This would be a very big fight, and then potentially, the winner of that fight could get Canelo. I think the winner of that fight would get Canelo.
There’s something in it for everybody. I don’t know what Charlo’s doing . . . So, I just got to keep training. I just got to keep working and just wait for these opportunities.”
WHY SHOULD IT HAPPEN?
Benavidez has a point that all sides could win. Were Charlo to make the jump to 168, per WBC rules, he would garner a high ranking by that sanctioning organization at 168. Benavidez is currently the reigning WBC interim super middleweight champion. One could envision the WBC would deem that potential bout an eliminator.
The reality is that Charlo needs a high-profile fight. He’s been inactive since a unanimous decision win over Juan Macias Montiel in June 2021. Fans and pundits have been critical of his lack of activity, and his career has stagnated.
It would be an appealing contest for fans. It’s clear that Benavidez wants the fight. Charlo insists that he’s interested. One can only hope it finally happens in 2023.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
